Frame construction system



Nov. 5, 1935.

C. c. DEUEL FRAME CONSTRUCT ION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 9, 1951 m n M Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to structural frameworks adaptable for use in any position and particularly for towers, sign supports and the like having longitudinal members interspaced at intervals by transverse members, in which lateral stresses are balanced by diagonal tension members in cooperation with said longitudinal and transverse members whereby an economy of material and assembly is elfected in comparison with similar structures heretofore proposed.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide a novel form of structure, preferably of commercial forms of metal, consisting of longitudinal and transverse compression members and diagonal tension members, one said diagonal tension member being so arranged in each panel formed by said longitudinal and transverse compression members that each panel has only one diagonal, those in all longitudinal panels adjacent to one another having a substantially common intersection with said longitudinal and transverse compression members and those in all transverse panels having substantially common intersections with said longitudinal and transverse compression members not common with the aforementioned intersections, whereby a perfect balance of all forces applied to said structure is attained.

The above and further objects of my invention, as will hereafter more fully appear, I attain by the construction described in the specification, and illustrated on the drawing, forming a part of my application.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which similar reference numbers denote similar parts. In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, illustrating more particularly one unit, and showing typical arrangement of tension members with respect to compression members.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, upon a somewhat enlarged section, taken on the line 3 3 Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view, taken on the line 4 4 Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another form of my invention in which the typical unit is adapted to lower half of structure.

Fig. '7 is a rear elevational view of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational View of Fig. 6.

For the purpose of describing my invention more in detail I shall restrict myself to two types illustrated in the accompanying drawing represented respectively by Figs. 1, 2, and 5 and Figs. 6,

7 and 8, using the terms uprights and spreaders as respectively synonymous with longitudinal and transverse compression members used to describe '5 my invention heretofore in its broader aspects which cover all positions and purposes to which it may be applied.

More specifically, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which similar parts are 10 represented by like numbers thruout the several views a tower or structure comprised of a base, uprights, spreaders and diagonals (see Fig. 1) formed by a plurality of like novel structural units (see Fig. 2) superposed one upon another after rotating the arrangements of the diagonals of each approximately ninety degrees around the vertical axis of the structure with respect to the diagonals of the unit below it, each unit having four uprights 2, each of which may be continuous thruout the structure, interspaced and connected by four spreaders 6 forming a continuous line around top of said unit, one diagonal l0 connecting two diametrically opposed intersections of uprights 2 and spreaders 6,, and four diagonals 8 two of which originate at each of the two remaining intersections of uprights 2 and spreaders 6 and terminate at the intersections of the two first mentioned uprights with the base 4 or spreaders of next unit below.

From this description and Fig. 1 of the drawing it will be noted that alternate units comprising the structure are identical in form but in practice the uprights may be inclined or otherwise not parallel to each other and different forms of structure not included herein may serve as base or superstructure to one or more of said units. For example, Figs. 6, 7, and 8 show a single unit having two inclined uprights 2' and surmounted by a superstructure l8 and sign I6 having no relation to this invention. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a possible means of connecting spreaders 6 and diagonals 8 and 10 with uprights 2 by means of a suitable connector l2 substantially associated by rivets or bolts 14 with uprights 2 and spreaders 6 it being noted that under no condition does a diagonal ill have a common intersection with diagonals 8, which holds true in all phases of my invention regardless of connecting means.

I am aware that prior to my invention equally stable structures having all of the members referred to herein in addition to others have been built and patented but heretofore no equally stable structure has been built or patented embodying only these essential parts in their respective combinations substantially as described, therefore,

I claim:

1. A structure of the class described comprising a base, four uprights connected to said base, spreaders spaced from said base and connecting said uprights, said spreaders defining a horizontal panel and said uprights and spreaders defining vertical panels, and a single diagonal member in each panel, the diagonals in the vertical panels extending from the intersections of two of the uprights with the base to the intersections of the remaining uprights with the spreaders, and the horizontal diagonal connecting the intersections of the first mentioned uprights with the spreaders.

2. A tower comprising four uprights, spreaders connecting said uprights said spreaders forming vertically spaced horizontal panels and said spreaders with said uprights forming vertical panels, and a single diagonal in each of said panels, said diagonals being so arranged that each of said spreaders has at one of its ends a connection involving another spreader, an upright and a diagonal of a horizontal panel and at its other end a connection involving another spreader, an upright and a diagonal of each vertical panel contiguous to said latter end.

3. A structure of the class described comprising a base, four longitudinal compression members connected to said base, transverse compression members spaced from said base and connecting said longitudinal members, said transverse members defining a closed panel and with said longitudinal members defining longitudinal panels, and a single tension member diagonally placed in each of said panels, the tension members in the longitudinal panels extending from the intersections of two of the longitudinal members with the base to the intersections of the remaining longitudinal members with the transverse members and the transverse tension member connecting the intersections of the first mentioned longitudinal members with the transverse members.

4. A structure comprising four longitudinal compression members, transverse compression members connecting said longitudinal members said transverse members forming longitudinally spaced transverse panels and with said longitudinal members forming longitudinal panels, and a single tension member diagonally placed in each of said panels, said diagonals being so arranged that each of said transverse members has atone of its ends a connection involving another transverse member, a longitudinal member and a diagonal of a transverse panel and at its other end a connection involving another transverse member, a longitudinal member and a diagonal of each longitudinal panel contiguous to said latter end.

CLYDE C. DEUEL. 

